Range finder for cameras



mm, HE EWLZD D. s. MEYERS ETAL 23%,437

RANGE FINDER FOR CAMERAS Filed Dec. 20, %959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lie ua *IG ATTORNEY.

zwms? D. s. MEYERS ETAL RANGE FINDER FOR CAMERAS 3 Sheets-Sheet; 2

Filed Dec. 20, 1939 H 8 INVENTORS.

DAN/H 5.1mm: Mi 11m JfmA/s ATTORNEY.

D. S. MEYERS ETAL RANGE FINDER: FOR CAMERAS Filed Dec. 20, 1.939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS. 17mm 11mm: .1 2m 1 fmw ATTORNEY.

the'central or intermediate mirrors;

The end mirrors are adjusted in synchroniza- Patented Der:o l5, ifidz assets? 1 j i in mm Qt We Daniel s. new st and llleil .r. Evans,

ilpsdngcies, @alif.

Application Decemher 2o, inset-sedan No. signs (or. tit-ii) Claims.

This invention relates to' range finders for cameras.

Odie object of the invention is to provide an optical range finder which is simple in construction. and easy to operate either for determining the adjustment of the camera lens'for focusing the camera or when combined with the camera to automatically adjust the lens of the camera for' focusing the same when the'range finder is operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a range finder which can be used in night photography or when the light is insumcient to allow for the normal operation of the range finder by observation of reflected images of the article to be photographed.

A yet further object of the invention is generaliv to provide a range finder of improved construction and reliable operation.

Briefly described, the range finder of the present invention comprises two reflectors, preferabiy plane mirrors, mounted for turning movement and located at equal distances from a pair of plane mirrors arranged in V formation. Said two plane mirrors are disposed in angular rel-amirrors is accomplished by movement of the camera lens. On the other handwhen the range finder is operated independently of the camera areading on a dial on the range finder will indicate the setting of the camera'lens for iocusm the camera.

When the range finder is to be used at night or where the light is insumcient, a beam or mncil of light from a lamp housing or other light source is projected through said eyepiece or opening, normally used for observation. to the central mirrors at said line of intersection thereof. The pair oi mirrors then transmit a beam of light to eachof the'end mirriors which in turn refiectsaid light beams toward the object to be photographed.

By adjusting said end mirrors the two beams or pencils of light reflected thereby can be made tion, with their reflecting surfaces meeting on'a or eyepiece whereby the light or images reflected by said first mentioned mirrors are transmitted to said pair of'mirrors and .are reflected by the latter for observation. For convenience in reference the first mentioned adjustable mirrors will be disignatedas end mirrors and the pair of angularly related mirrors will be designated as,

tion by suitable mechanism, either under the con to merge in one spotoflight on the object to be photographed, and when this occurs. the camera is in focus or can be set in focus in accordance with the reading on the scale with which the range finder can be provided.

The, invention, and the above mentioned and otherobjects thereof which might hereinafter appear will be best understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood. however, that the drawings are to be considered only as illustrative of the invention and not. in limitation thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a camera provided with a range finder embodying the present invention:

Fig. 2 is a sectional view oi the range finder, on a larger scale, on the line 2-2 of'Fig. 1 with parts.

cut away for illustrative purposes;

trol of the camera lens mounting or independently of the latter. By varying the angular-adjusttion opening or eyepiece. When the images on the center mirrors thusmeet at the center line; the camera is in focus, when. on he one hand,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line a-s oi mgi; 1

a. sectional view on the line d-li of Fi 2: r

Figs. 5 andfi are detail sectional views lines t-t and dt, respectively oi Fig. 1;

' Figs. 7 and 8 are end and front views, respecon the tively, or the mounting of an end mirror;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the mechanism arranged to be actuated pursuant to the adjustment of the Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional'views onthelines u-atsna air-n2, respectively. 01 rag. 1o;

as hereinbei'ore stated,.the adjustment of the end Fig. '13 isa vlewillustrating the attachment of be described.

a lamp housing for operating .the range finder at night or where the light is insumclent;

Fig. 14 is a view of the lamp housing detached from the range finder and showing also the-connection of the lamp with a battery. Referring now to the drawings in detail, the range finder it embodying the present invention able longitudinally of a track on the pivoted front cover for focusing the camera. Preferably, as

will hereinafter be described, a mechanism is con-.

nected to the range finder and is disposed in is, as here shown in Fig. 1, attached to a camera C having an adjustable lens mounting M movascend? position to be actuated in the adjustment of the lens mounting M whereby the camera is autocasing comprises as here shown afmetal castin having end walls iii and it, front and rear walls spring it is'securcd to wall it! and bears on the adjacent or confronting edge of plate M for holding the latter iii-predetermined position and fpr resiliently opposing movement of. said plate in one direction As illustratedin Figs. 7 and 8, the end. mirrors are adiustably mounted on companion plates 52 for aligning said; mirrors "with the center V-mirror .12.. For this purpose adjusting screws 12 are arranged and engage the rear surface of each end mirror for adjusting the same while the latter is held by prongs lid oi supporting plate 52.

The mechanism for actuatina plate Ei i to adjust the end mirrors will now be described. Said mechanism comprises a cam it fixed to a pin i8 and turnable with the latter in engagement with it and iii, respectively, and an intermediate or I partition wall 2?. Said casing also includes side walls i i and 2t and companioninner mounting plates 28 and 3%, respectively, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and a. Said side walls and companion mounting plates are removably secured to the casting of the casing in any suitable .way as by screws 32. light as possible by the provision therein of cutouts in the portions thereof which are not needed. The end-mirrors 3t and. it are mounted for adjustment in alignmen't with openings or light passages 38 and it, respectively, provided'in wall it. The center orv-mirrors M are positioned centrally between end mirrors 3t and it in alignment with an observation opening or. eyepiece it provided in wall it. V-mirror t2 comprises, a pair oi. mirrors t6 and t8 disposed in angular relation with a miter joint and with their reflecting surfaces meeting at a fine center line it disposed centrally of observation opening i i, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The reflecting surfaces. oi mirrors t5 and d8 are in the path of the-reflections' or end mirrors it and M, respectively. V-mirror M is fixed in position between inter- Said mounting plates are made'as the cam pin-follower 80 carried by plate 66 and adjustable in a slot lit provided in said plate.

Pin 18 is mounted for turning movement? For this purpose, a sleeve 86 is provided lid-plate 2-2 for the inner end of pin it. Said inner end is journalled in said sleeve and is provided with a slotted head 88. The outer end 88 of said pin is in threaded turning engagement with mounting plate iii as clearly shown in Fig. 4. A cranir arm'tt is fixed to pin iii for rotating the latter and is positioned thereon between spacing collars 92' and ti l. Crank arm 9% is actuated by a lever at which is provided at one end thereoi' with a pin 98 which engages crank; arm iii; in a slot 991 therein. lever 96 is fulcrumed intermediate the likewise adjusted thereby toprovide for the ad ends'thereof on a pivot pin H09 carried by an adjustable plate m2 and passing through a slot lu l in said lever. -The end oi pin its also extends through a slot liiti in mounting plate iti.

Adjustable plate W2 is secured adiustably in position by a screw it passing through a slot tit in said plate and threaded into mounting plate 36. The ends lit and il of plate tilt? are in slidable engagement with walls iii and 3d, respectively. By'adjusting plate iilii'longitudinally of said walls, the fulcrum pin idii of lever 936 is justment of the mechanism for lenses of diiier ent focal-lengths.

Provision is made for'actuating lever Qt simul taneously with the setting oi the lens mounting mediate wall 22 and mounting plate 2t and is it and at. As the" mountings of mirrorsdt andv 38 are the same, only oneof said mountings need Thus, as here showng each end of the camera. The mechanism provided for this purpose comprises a lever flit pivotally mounted at one end thereon on' a pivot screw 1 I it threaded into the end wall it. A spring ltd is positioned on pivot screw H8 and engages lever H6 and mounting plate 28 for opposing movement of said lever and for returning the same to initial position. Said lever projects" through a slot I22 in partition wall 22 and through companion slots I26 and mi in mountmirror is carried bye. metal plate iii fixed to a rod tit for turning movement with the latter. Rod b t is pivotally mounted at its ends in plate it and in partition wall 22. The outer end tit of rod M is in screw-threaded engagementwith mounting plate 2% for holding said rod against substantial longitudinal movement without inter- .iering with the turning movement thereof. The

inner end of rod it projects through partition wall 22 and is provided with a crank arm 58 fixed thereto.

Each crank armhole a slot iiii which receives a pin lit carried by the'adjacent end of anoperating plate tit. Said operating plate is mounted for sliding movement in engagement with partition wall it and is guided for said movement by pins tit threaded into partition wall 22 and passlng throughsiots tit in said operating plate. A

ing plate it and wall it, respectively. Said lever is connected to lever 96 by a pin ifitlfined to the upturned end itt of lever t6 and slidably connected to lover I It in a slot lid of the latmr.

The outer end of lever' lit projects into the camera casing and is pivotally connected at wit to a telescoping link mechanism itii' (Figs. 9

and 10) which carries a sliding plate tilt. Plate Hit is in position to be engaged by'thc lens mounting MI whereby the adjustment of said lens mounting on the track thereof results in "actuation of links lit, lit and tit for adjusting mirrors t t and it for operating the range finder. I

The telescoping linlr mechanism lid is provided so that the front wall w on which the lens mounting is slidable can be closedwhen the W lens mounting is fully retracted into the camera 7 rue der.

amass? housing. Said telescoping link mechanism comprises a link did pivotally connected as at its and slidable in the tubular extension lid of link iti which carries plate B3B. Tubular member iid is threaded externally and has diametrically opposite longitudinally extending slots iii through which there projects a transverse pin [ltd carried by link MB, A nut M3 threaded on tubular member lid provides an adjustable abutment for transverse pin MB. A spring H50 disposed within tubular member lit bears at one end against the end of link I38 and at its other end against the inner end wall of tubular member lid. A guide track it? is secured to wall Wand extends longitudinally thereof in pensed with and link H6 actuated manually dlrectly or indirectly by any suitable device in conjunction with a scale for indicating the setting of the camera lens.

In Fig. l3 we have shown the range finder" provided with an illuminating device ltd who used in conjunction with the range finder in night photography or where the light is insuficient for direct observation of images of the camera may be made. Accordingly,.I do not wish to be limited 'to the construction or arrangement herein shown or described except to the extent which may be required. by the scope of the appended claims.

Having-thus described our invention, what we claim anddesire to secure by Letters Patent ,is: 1. {i range finder comprising a' casing, two mirrors disposed in spaced relation in said casing, pivoted members on which said-'mirrors are mounted, respectively, for turning movement thereof, a pair of mirrors arranged in angular relation with their reflecting. surfaces meeting. at a straight line, said pair of mirrors 'belngmounted in said casing and disposed in such relation to said first'mentioned mirrors that images of an object canbe reflected by said first mentioned mirrors to said angularly related .mirrors, respectively, for reflection by the latter, and means for turning said'first mentioned mirrors for siobject to be photographed. Said illuminating 1 device ltd is mounted removably on the range finder ii and more particularly on the eyepiece tube iii in position to transmit a beam of light multaneous movement thereof to positions ior reflecting images of the object to saidangularly related mirrors, respectively, for reflection by the latter; said means comprising arms fixed to said pivoted members; respectively, for turning the latter, a plate slidably mounted in said casing,

said plate extending between said arms and en- 1 gaging said arms, andmeansfor imparting a sliding movement to said plate.

2. A range finder comprising a casing, two mirthereof, a pair of mirrors arranged in angular relation with their reflecting surfaces meeting at a straight line, said pair of mirrors being mount- Said end mirrors reflect-the beams of light through openings it and ii to the object to be photographed. By adjusting said end mirrors,

the beams of light reflected thereby can be brought together and merged into a single spot oi light on the object to be photographed and when this occurs the optical range of the object is determined When the range finder is mounted on the camera and actuated by the lens mount thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and as described above, the camera is in focus when the sit-merging oi the beams of light on the object is accoplished. However, when the range finder is actuated independently of the camera the readehes in the details of construction and in the arrangement of parts may be madein the Also it will be understood, that the range finder can be mounted at the top of ted in said casing and disposed in suchrelation to said first mentioned mirrors that images of an object can be reflected by said first mentioned mirrors to said angularly related mirrors, respectively, for reflection by the latter, means for turning said first mentioned mirrors to positions for reflecting images of the object to said angularly-related mirrors, respectively. for reflection by the latter, said means comprising arms fixed to. said pivoted members, respectively, for tuming the latter, a plate slidably mounted in said casing, said plate extending between said arms and engaging said arms, a cam engageable with said plate for imparting a sliding movement relation with their'reflecting surfaces meeting at a straight line, said pair of mirrors and said first mentioned mirrors being disposed in image-rethe camera or in some other position. When therauge finder is mountedon the top of the camera the lever iii will project through an fleeting relation, and means for turning said first mentioned mirrors to adjust the same in said image-reflecting relation, said means comprising arms fixed to said pivoted members, respectively,- for turning the latter, a plate slidably mounted in said casing, said plate extending between said arms-and engaging said arms, a cam ensaseable thereto, and a pivoted lever connected to said cam for actuating the latter, a

i. A range finder comprising a casing, two

mirrors disposedrin spaced relation in said cas ins, pivoted members on which said mirrors are mounted, respectively, for turning movement thereof, a pair of mirrors arranged in angular relation with their reflecting surfaces meeting at a straight line, said pair or mirrors and said first mentioned mirrors being disposed in in'iass refleeting =xelation, means for turning said first mentioned mirrors to adjust the same in said im agerefiecting relation, said means comprising arms fixed to said pivoted members, respectively, for turning the latter, a plate slidahly monnted in said casing, seidplate extending between said arms and engaging said arms, a cam engagenble with said plate for imparting a sliding movement thereto,.a pivoted lever connected to said cam for actuating the latter, and an adjustable pivot for said lever en'gageable therewith adiustahly'hetween the opposite ends of said lever.

5. A range finder oomnrising a casing having a viewing device, tvio mirrors-disposed in said inn device whereby to t light from said 1 2,30%,43'3 with said plate for imparting a silo movement casing in spaced relation and each mounted for t movement thereof, a pair oi rs mounted in said casing and arranged in annular relation with their reflecting suriaces confronting said vie device and meeting at a straight line and having their adjacent side edges terminating at said line, said pair oi mirrors and said first mentioned mlirrorsheing disposed in image-reflecting relation, a source oi lightadant ed to be positioned in relation to said pair 02 mir rors tor reflection hy the latter oi beams or pen oils of light from said source to said mentioned mirrors for reflection by the latter, means for turning said first mentioned rs to adjust thesame in said marge-reflecting relation, and means for removahly mounting said source of light on said casing in registry with said viewsource through saidviewing device to said pair of mirrors and to permit ocular observation of said angular-iv related'mirrors through said viewin'e device when'said source of iishtis'removed. 

